A sawmill had a large compressor located in a small outbuilding near their mill. The compressor was moved away from the plant because there was excessive dust inside. But even in a remote location, the sawdust found its way into the compressor intake — and deposited inside the compressor’s air-cooled aftercooler. The restriction caused by […]
Air Preparation
Compressed air fail: Verification spots trouble
An aerospace plant purchased a new high efficiency variable speed drive compressor to replace an older VFD unit that had come to the end of its lifespan. The new compressor was more efficient than the old unit and was expected to save significant energy; calculated specific power was projected at 22 kW per 100 cfm […]
Compressed air fail: Flow meter trouble
A sawmill was having trouble finding a flow meter to measure the compressed air that was produced by compressors totaling 1,500 cfm utput. This flow was running through a 3-in. pipe. The plant personnel contacted a compressed air expert to see if he could help. They were surprised by his answer. The most common and […]
Mode selection makes a difference
A little button press can make a big difference. The compressor in the photo was running in a control mode called online/offline (aka load/unload) for the first bit of its service life but now has been changed to a mode called modulation. The reason for the change, as found by a compressed air system auditor, […]
Tips on how to become an air auditor
By Ron Marshall Question: I have been reading a lot about compressed air optimization efforts through auditing, and am I interested in doing this myself in my own area. What tips would you give me for undertaking this sort of effort? Answer: Here are a few basic tips about starting air auditing: Read all […]
Compressed air fail: The spare dryer
By Ron Marshall A printing plant had two compressors — one main and one backup — each with refrigerated air dryers. A third air dryer was on site as a backup, should the main dryer go down for any reason. The spare compressor was too small for the plant but was used as emergency backup, […]
Compressed air efficiency: Don’t stop at the compressor
Question: Good day! I was hoping for some advice on how to design the demand side of an air supply system. We are located between a river and the ocean, in a non-climate-controlled aircraft hangar. About 8 months out of the year, we are at 100% humidity. We have an air system that was installed […]
Emerson air dryers quadruple maintenance intervals in rail applications
Emerson has introduced two new compressed air dryers designed to significantly extend maintenance intervals, minimize downtime and reduce energy costs in rail applications, including brakes and door control. Typically, air dryers have an average service interval of less than two years. The Aventics RDD (Roll-Up Dessicant Drying) and RDDmin air dryers, have a service interval of […]
Compressed air efficiency: Don’t stop at the compressor
By Ron Marshall A printing plant is planning to replace its efficient 100-hp VSD compressor, a premium unit that runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Making a straight change out will gain a small amount of estimated savings, about 5%, because the newer compressor models has been improved and are more efficient […]
Achieving cycling dryer success
Running your home refrigerator like a non-cycling air dryer would run up your electrical bill considerably. The non-cycling style dryer consumes almost constant power, as if the dryer was fully loaded, even in conditions of part load and partial moisture content. Temperature control is accomplished in these types of dryers with a hot gas bypass […]
